He bade himself remember that he was among people who were his inferiors in rank, education, wealth, manners, religion and nationality.
He had committed an error.

Of course he had been in fault.

Did he wish to escape the consequences of his own misdoing?
Was not his presence there so soon after the assumption of his family honours sufficient evidence of his generous admission of the claims to which he was subject?
Had he not offered to sacrifice himself as no other man would have done?
But they were still playing for the high stakes.

They were determined that the girl should be Countess of Scroope.

He was determined that she should not be Countess of Scroope.